“The best possible experience for a 20-something years old ”

I have been working at McKinsey & Company full-time (more than 3 years)

Pros

Exposure to problems and skills that you would otherwise need to climb the corporate ladder for 10 years for. Even at the business analyst level, you are pushed to interact and lead clients instead of sitting in a room doing analysis and finding data

Cons

The apprenticeship model could really be hit or miss. For a new hire who does not already have the right mindset of humbly learning from mentors or just got unlucky, the firm can be a tough place. There are few opportunities to learn the ropes outside the apprenticeship model

I have been working at McKinsey & Company full-time (more than a year)

Pros

The people at McKinsey are incredibly bright and driven. The majority are even kind. The culture of giving and getting feedback is also fantastic for people who want to improve themselves. It's also profoundly challenging so you truly grow and learn quickly. Learning about multiple industries is also exciting.

Cons

The late hours would be tough anywhere but when you are simply re-wording a powerpoint slide for the tenth time because the partners can't agree on what's best, you start to question your sanity. Add to that the frequent travel (Monday 6am flight out, Thursday 6pm flight home for months on end) and it can get tough.

Advice to ManagementAdvice

Be careful about too many leaders on a given project. It typically doesn't generate too many new ideas and just creates burn for the teams.